"You can't pull the drive
"You can't pull the drive out far enough to grease the u-joints without the drive falling off, there is nothing to support the drive. Once the drive is separated from the transom mount it's time for a new gasket. The alignment tool does not really need to be used every time you pull the drive if you know the alignment is good to start with and you haven't touched the engine mounts or the engine hasn't sagged due to rotting stringers or transom. The proper thing to do is fully remove the drive, inspect/feel the gimbal bearing and the bellows and replace as necessary. Then check the alignment with the tool and then re-install the drive with new gasket. It sounds to me like you want to take some shortcuts...it's your boat!"